Sternal locators and associated systems and methods

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for sternal locators for placement of an intraosseous device into the sternum of a human patient.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A sternal locator configured to be inserted into the chest of a human patient, the sternal locator comprising:
 a stabilizer having:
 a flange; 
 one or more longitudinally-oriented tabs configured to secure the stabilizer to an intraosseous (IO) device to restrict longitudinal separation of the IO device and the stabilizer; and 
 one or more longitudinally-oriented ribs; and 
 
 probes coupled to the stabilizer, each probe comprising a first end and a second end, the second end of each probe configured to inserted into the chest of the patient; 
 where at least one of the longitudinally-oriented ribs comprises a portion that surrounds the first end of one of the probes; 
 where the one or more longitudinally-oriented ribs and the probes extend in opposite directions from the flange; 
 where the IO device is configured to deliver fluid to an intraosseous space in a sternum of the patient; 
 where the stabilizer is configured to remain secured to the IO device after a portion of the IO device has been inserted into the patient and the IO device has delivered the fluid. 
 
     
     
       2. The sternal locator of  claim 1 , where the one or more longitudinally-oriented tabs comprises multiple longitudinally-oriented tabs spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
       3. The sternal locator of  claim 1 , where the stabilizer is configured to adhere to skin. 
     
     
       4. The sternal locator of  claim 3 , where the stabilizer includes an underside and an adhesive member coupled to the underside that is configured to adhere to skin. 
     
     
       5. The sternal locator of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one removable liner coupled to the adhesive member. 
     
     
       6. The sternal locator of  claim 5 , where the one or more longitudinally-oriented tabs comprise three longitudinally-oriented tabs, and each tab includes an inwardly-projecting portion. 
     
     
       7. The sternal locator of  claim 1 , where the one or more tabs extend from a first surface of the flange,
 where the one or more ribs extend from the first surface of the flange, 
 where the one or more ribs extend a greater distance than the one or more tabs. 
 
     
     
       8. The sternal locator of  claim 1 , where the one or more longitudinally-orientated tabs extend in a first direction and the probes extend in a second direction, wherein the second direction opposes the first direction. 
     
     
       9. The sternal locator of  claim 1 , where the one or more longitudinally-orientated tabs are configured to flex outward away from a central portion of the stabilizer. 
     
     
       10. The sternal locator of  claim 1 , where the flange comprises an alignment feature configured to align with a sternal notch of the patient. 
     
     
       11. A sternal locator configured to be inserted into the chest of a human patient, the sternal locator comprising:
 a stabilizer having:
 a flange; 
 one or more longitudinally-oriented tabs configured to secure the stabilizer to an intraosseous (IO) device to restrict longitudinal separation of the IO device and the stabilizer; and 
 one or more longitudinally-orientated ribs; and 
 
 probes coupled to the stabilizer, each probe comprising a first end and a second end, the second end of each probe configured to be inserted into the chest of the patient; 
 where at least one of the longitudinally-oriented ribs comprises a portion that surrounds the first end of one of the probes; 
 where the one more longitudinally-oriented ribs and the probes extend in opposite directions from the flange; 
 where the second end of the probes are configured to be inserted into the patient before the stabilizer is secured to the IO device. 
 
     
     
       12. The sternal locator of  claim 11 , where the one or more longitudinally-oriented tabs comprises multiple longitudinally-oriented tabs spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
       13. The sternal locator of  claim 11 , where the stabilizer is configured to adhere to skin. 
     
     
       14. A sternal locator configured to be inserted into the chest of a human patient and, the sternal locator comprising:
 a stabilizer comprising:
 a circumferential collar comprising:
 a collar contact surface configured to contact a portion of an intraosseous (IO) device; 
 a passageway configured to receive a penetrator of the IO device; 
 one or more longitudinally-oriented tabs configured to secure the stabilizer to the IO device; and 
 one or more longitudinally-oriented ribs; and 
 
 a flange projecting from the circumferential collar, the flange comprising:
 an alignment feature spaced apart from the passageway and configured to align with a sternal notch of the patient; and 
 an underside opposite the collar contact surface; and 
 
 
 probes coupled in fixed relation to the stabilizer, each probe comprising a first end and a second end, the second end of each probe configured to be inserted into the chest of the patient; 
 where the one or more longitudinally-oriented ribs and the probes extend in opposite direction from the flange; 
 where at least one of the longitudinally-oriented ribs comprises a portion that surrounds the first end of one of the probes. 
 
     
     
       15. The sternal locator of  claim 14 , where the is configured to adhere to skin. 
     
     
       16. A system for accessing the bone marrow of a human's sternum, comprising:
 an intraosseous (IO) device comprising:
 a penetrator having a tip; and 
 a hub coupled to the penetrator, the hub comprising a flanged portion; and 
 
 a sternal locator configured to be inserted into the chest of a human patient and coupled to the IO device, the sternal locator comprising:
 a stabilizer having:
 a flange; 
 one or more longitudinally-oriented tabs configured to secure the stabilizer to the IO device to restrict longitudinal separation of the intraosseous device and the stabilizer; and 
 one or more longitudinally-oriented ribs; and 
 
 probes coupled to the stabilizer, each probe having a probe tip configured to be inserted into the chest of the patient; 
 
 where at least one of the longitudinally-oriented ribs comprises a portion that surrounds an end of one of the probes opposite from the probe tip; 
 where the one or more longitudinally-oriented ribs and the probes extend in opposite directions from the flange; 
 where the sternal locator is configured to be coupled to the IO device after the probe tips have been inserted into the chest of the patient; 
 where the tip of the penetrator will protrude 6 to 8 millimeters beyond at least one of the probe tips when the IO device is secured to the sternal locator. 
 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16 , where the one or more longitudinally-oriented tabs comprises multiple longitudinally-oriented tabs spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 16 , where the stabilizer is configured to adhere to skin. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18 , where the stabilizer includes an underside and an adhesive member coupled to the underside that is configured to adhere to skin. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one removable liner coupled to the adhesive member. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 20 , where the one or more longitudinally-oriented tabs comprises three longitudinally-oriented tabs, and each tab includes an inwardly-projecting portion.